Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Ryuen Kakeru's frustration grew.
For the first two days, he remained in the camp, playing his part convincingly.
But once he was free to move, he spent nearly every waking moment scouring the island for Class A.
He had covered almost every inch of land, confirmed the locations of Class B and C from a distance—
Yet, there wasn't a single trace of Class A.
Not even the shadow of one of their members.
It was maddening. A class that large couldn't just vanish into thin air.
Even if they were hiding in a cave, they would need at least two guards posted at the entrance.
But no matter where he looked—nothing.
The sun had begun to set on the sixth day. The exam would officially end at 9:00 AM tomorrow. Time was running out.
Just as Ryuen was at his wit's end, his walkie-talkie crackled to life.
It was Ibuki.
Since he hadn't needed to infiltrate enemy camps himself, he had been carrying the device at all times.
Hearing a voice from it after six long days made his pulse quicken. He snatched it up instantly.
"Hey?"
"It's me."
Ibuki Mio's voice came through, steady but urgent. Her breathing was slightly ragged, as if she were moving quickly.
"I got a picture of Class B's leader using the camera, but they spotted me. I barely managed to escape. I couldn't read the name clearly—it was something like 'Hori.' Do you know him?"
"…No," Ryuen replied flatly.
Her mention of a camera didn't surprise him.
He had spent 30 test points to buy two of them, distributing one to Ibuki and the other to Kaneda for reconnaissance.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "As long as we got the photo, we're set. Lose them and meet me at the agreed location."
"Got it."
With that, the signal cut off.
Ryuen didn't hesitate. He set off immediately, heading toward the rendezvous point.
But before he could get far, his walkie-talkie buzzed again.
This time, it wasn't Ibuki—it was Kaneda. His voice came through, breathless, as if he had been running for his life.
"R-Ryuen-san! I—I got the key card from Class C! I just escaped from their camp!"
Ryuen froze in place.
"Wait. You got their key card? How?"
Something felt off.
Ibuki had just managed to get Class B's leader's name, and now—on the very same day—Kaneda had stolen Class C's key card? The timing was too perfect. His instincts screamed at him to be cautious.
"Uh… Ichinose from Class C..."
Kaneda said between gasps.
"She said today was the last day, so they all went to the beach to take a group photo. I was supposed to join them, but I snuck back to camp."
"I figured I'd search the tents for any clues, but I didn't expect to find the key card just lying there. The name on it was 'Chihiro.'"
"…Chihiro?" Ryuen muttered.
For a moment, he was speechless.
After all that trouble, was this really how things turned out?
Ichinose Honami and Kure Ragna had essentially handed him the key card on a silver platter.
He had expected a difficult battle, but in the end, it had come down to sheer luck.
It made sense, though. No one would expect something as important as the key card to be left unguarded.
But if everyone was in swimsuits at the beach, there was nowhere to hide it on their person.
Leaving it in the tent must have seemed like the most logical choice.
Kaneda's words finally broke through Ryuen's thoughts:
"I mean, they can't fake a key card, right?"
That was true. Ryuen's last bit of doubt faded.
"Alright," he said.
"Meet me at the rendezvous point. Ibuki and I are on our way. This victory belongs to Class D."
"Understood!"
The transmission ended.
Half an hour later, Ryuen reached the agreed meeting place—a towering fir tree, at least 40 meters tall.
It stood out in the dense, untamed jungle, making it a perfect landmark.
Ibuki was already there, leaning against the trunk, catching her breath. She saw Ryuen approach and wordlessly handed him the camera.
There was only one photo in storage.
It was a well-timed shot—Ibuki must have climbed a tree and taken it while Class B was distracted.
The image was crystal clear. The name on the key card was unmistakable:
Horikita Suzune.
"Good work,"
Ryuen said with a smirk.
"That's fifty points down the drain for Class B."
Ibuki hesitated as if she had more to say, but before she could, heavy footsteps approached.
Kaneda came barreling toward them, barely managing to stay on his feet. The moment he reached them, he collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
"H-here… the key card..." he wheezed, holding it out.
Ryuen took it with satisfaction, then handed both items back to their respective owners.
"You both did well. Let's head back."
Kaneda followed immediately. Ibuki hesitated for a moment but eventually trailed after them.
That was when it happened.
A sharp twang pierced the silence.
The unmistakable sound of a bowstring snapping forward.
"Don't move."
Ryuen, Ibuki, and Kaneda froze.
The voice was calm, yet brimming with quiet authority. Ryuen didn't turn fully, just tilted his head slightly.
"...Katsuragi?"
"It's me."
Katsuragi Kohei stepped out from behind a tree, bare-chested and holding a bow.
The wooden arrow was nocked and drawn, aimed straight at them. A faint, strange sheen coated the tip.
"234."
His voice was steady.
"That's how many times I had a clean shot at you over the past three days. But I waited—for this moment."
Ryuen narrowed his eyes.
"Relax. The poison won't kill you. It'll just paralyze your body. Now, hand over the key cards and the camera, and walk away."
Silence hung in the air.
Then—
A sudden, thwack!
Katsuragi staggered. His bow slipped from his fingers, and he collapsed like a felled tree.
The sound of something heavy hitting the ground echoed through the jungle.
And then—
"Oi, archery boy. If you're gonna shoot, just shoot. What's with all the theatrics?"
A new voice, dripping with irritation, cut through the tension.
"My legs are sore from squatting up there waiting for this moment. You done?"
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